Key facts
- Recorded in
- The written lease
- Protected by
- A detailed inventory with photos
- Deductions
- For damage beyond normal wear and tear, unpaid rent or bills
- Disputes
- Adjudicating Panel for Private Residential Leases
At the start
- Record the deposit amount in the written lease.
- Complete a detailed inventory with photos — the key evidence at the end. See the inventory checklist.
- Give the tenant a receipt.
During the lease
Keep records of repairs, inspections and correspondence.
At the end
- Inspect together against the inventory.
- Agree deductions — only for damage beyond normal wear and tear, unpaid rent or bills — with evidence.
- Return the balance promptly and in writing.
Disputes
If landlord and tenant cannot agree, the dispute can be taken to the Adjudicating Panel set up under the Private Residential Leases Act — a quicker route than the ordinary courts.
See landlord obligations and, for tenants, renting in Malta.
